Welcome to the Port of Duluth-Superior, one of the largest inland seaports in the world.

At the far westerly tip of Lake Superior near the geographic center of the North American continent, this is where the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway navigation system ends---and begins.

It's a place where the St. Louis River---exhausted from its last plunging run through the pine-lined cliffs and rocks of Jay Cooke State Park---regains its composure and fans out to create a huge natural harbor. Sheltered from Lake Superior by a narrow, sandy peninsula reaching nine miles from Duluth's steep hills to Superior's table-top flatness, the harbor rim weaves in and out of 49 miles of shoreline embracing 19 square miles of fresh water.

The port that evolved within this common harbor is shared by two states, Minnesota and Wisconsin. With iron ore docks, coal docks, grain elevators and specialized cargo facilities lining the industrial waterfronts of both Duluth and Superior, the port serves shippers and receivers throughout the U.S. Midwest and the Great Plains. It also has some customers in Canada's western provinces.

In the maritime industry as well as for virtually all federal government purposes, the port is known as Duluth-Superior. Consequently, except for land development and related financing activities, the Duluth Seaway Port Authority promotes the port's collective interests. Facility information, tonnage statistics and other general data found in this site reflect that reality.

And it is indeed a big port, averaging about 45 million net tons annually of cargo in a navigation season that usually begins in late March and continues until mid-January. Duluth-Superior is by far the largest port on the Great Lakes and is one of the premier bulk cargo ports in North America.

This site can only provide a glimpse of the port's total activities and opportunities. The Duluth Seaway Port Authority sincerely appreciates your interest and invites your inquiries.

The Duluth Seaway Port Authority is an independent public agency created by the Minnesota Legislature in 1955. It operates under Minnesota Statutes 469.048 through 469.068 and 074.

Like port authorities and harbor commissions worldwide, it fosters regional maritime and trade development and serves as an advocate for port interests. It strives to protect and increase maritime commerce through marketing, promotional and legislative initiatives and also serves as an economic development agency.

Although its powers and duties have been amended several times, the Seaway Port Authority is guided primarily by the original enabling act which provides, among other things, that it shall "promote the general welfare of the port district, and of the port as a whole," and that it shall "try to increase the volume of the port's commerce."

The Port Authority owns certain waterfront properties as well as an industrial park near Duluth International Airport and manages two tax increment financing districts.

Revenue is generated through land leases, operating fees, economic development investments and related financing activities. The City of Duluth also provides some financial assistance.

The Port Authority is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners:

• Two appointed by the Governor of Minnesota

• Two by the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners

• Three by the Duluth City Council

Commissioners are appointed to six-year terms with varied expiration dates to assure policy experience and continuity.

The Board meets monthly, more frequently when required. It sets policy, approves contracts, determines the annual budget and hires the executive director.

The executive director and staff are responsible for the day-to-day operations. These include financial, business development, trade development, property management, marketing, promotional, environmental, legislative and government projects and activities.

• The Duluth Seaway Port Authority shall build and improve the Port of Duluth and create environmentally sound economic development opportunities while protecting and generating international and domestic commerce.

• The Duluth Seaway Port Authority shall:

• Enhance the regional economy through environmentally valid maritime and non-maritime industrial development projects. 

• Stimulate awareness of the Port and the importance of commercial trade and waterborne transportation. 

• Adapt to changing economic conditions affecting the Port Authority and the Port District.

• Business affairs shall be fiscally responsible and conducted in an open, positive atmosphere. 

• Policies and programs shall be environmentally sound and socially acceptable. 

• Services shall be delivered to customers and the general public in a professional, timely and cooperative manner.